US, UK leaders make push for trans-Atlantic trade deal

Vice President Biden made one final push for a trade deal between the United States and the European Union before heading home on Tuesday.

Biden joined British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in calling for a trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement ahead of their meetings in London, the last leg of Biden's four-day European trip.

Before heading into 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's residence, Clegg said he and Biden would not only be discussing a broad range of foreign policy challenges but also a U.S.-EU free-trade agreement, "something that has been talked about a lot for many many years but has been an elusive project to get going," Clegg said according to reports. 

"But if we can work together to overcome the obstacles on both sides of the Atlantic, I’m absolutely sure that it will be, we’re all sure it will be something that will create a significant boost to prosperity and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic," Clegg said.

Biden made a strong pitch during meetings with world leaders on Saturday in Munich saying he feels a U.S.-EU deal is within reach. 

European Union Commissioner Karel de Gucht is in Washington to meet with Obama administration officials and a coalition of business interests at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday followed by meetings with U.S. trade officials on Wednesday. 

An announcement to launch formal talks could come as soon as this week. 

Last month, Cameron said a trade deal is a top priority during the U.K.'s leadership of the Group of 8 nations. 

Clegg has argued that a trade agreement could boost the economy and save more than a billion a year in tariffs. 

Meanwhile, Cameron also said that if he is reelected in 2015 that he would let the nation's voters determine whether the U.K. remains a member of the European Union in a referendum by the end of 2017.

Biden and President Obama have each said that the EU is stronger with the U.K.'s involvement.